Born in Ohio in 1946, Spielberg began making films as a teen. Interning for Universal Studios, his work was impressive enough to be signed as a television director, some of this early work being for the Night Gallery series.

Spielberg’s first feature film release, 1974’s The Sugarland Express, was met with critical but not financial success.

1975’s Jaws proved a legendary hit, and cemented Steven’s future path of crowd-pleasing and conscientious mainstream classics. Nominated for twelve Oscars, he has won three, for Schindler’s List (1993), and Saving Private Ryan (1998). Spielberg co-founded the production company DreamWorks.